Friday, April 6, 2012

WELSH CAKES - GÂTEAUX GALLOIS

Feasting is also closely related to memory. We eat certain things in a particular way in order to remember who we are. Why else would you eat grits in Madison, New Jersey?- Jeff Smith 'The Frugal Gourmet Keeps the Feast' (1995)

Ponder well on this point: the pleasant hours of our life are all connected by a more or less tangible link, with some memory of the table.- Charles Pierre Monselet (1825-1888)

There
are some memories which we simply cannot forget or erase. They stay
forever inked in our brains and branded in our heart, no matter what
happens to us in life or how we feel now about the people they imply...

My mother and
father are awfully manipulative, considerably messed up, highly harmful,
terrifyingly tyrannic and disfunctional, but although I have not spoken to
those two beings since eight years and I don't regret cutting off all contact
with them (the only solution left for me if I wanted to get healthy again, to
maintain my sanity as well as to reclaim my independence), certain past events
just can't be washed away that easily, especially if they are enjoyable and
linked to food - one of my biggest pleasures and weaknesses.

I might not
have been blessed with selfless, non-narcissic, affectionate and dedicated
parents who had a healthy relationship with one another or their children and
who were capable of ridding themselves from their demons, yet I have to admit
that regardless of all the stuff they have put me through and how much they
have hurt me, treated me disrespectfully, caused me to doubt myself, brought me
to my knees, supressed my self-confidence, transformed me into a willing
"slave", vampirized me and deeply bruised my ego, soul as well as
body, I still recall the rare and happy moments when what was left of their
kind nature transpired through the thick veil of toxic poisoning that kept them
emprisoned in frustration, hate and affliction.

Being a
person who prefers to dwell on the positive side of things instead of choosing
to get galvanized by negative thoughts, I cherish those cheerful and peaceful
times and try not to focus on events that caused me a lot of pain and distress
even if I know I'll never be able to obliterate them totally from my mind. Their
hurtful legacy has marked me for the rest of my existence and there's nothing I
can do about that, nonetheless, even if they didn't bring me up conventionally
I have to point out that, at least, they have taught me to cultivate a fervor
for quality fare and fine dining. This passion later turned into a serious
hobby to which I am a 110% dedicated and which I need to survive. I am grateful
for this heritage as it has got me through the tough periods in my existence
(read article on that subject here).

It seems many
emotionally handicapped people show their feelings for their kids by feeding
them like kings. It is their way of expressing their emotions and thoughts. I
guess it is for that reason that eating is often associated with well-being and
is quite regressive. In my case, I know that what graced my plate never failed
to bring a smile on my face and had the same effect on me as the warm kisses on
the cheeks or an affectionate hugs I sadly never received and always dreamt of
getting - until today, it is a mystery whether they truly love me or not.

For instance,
I will always remember coming back home from school to an apartment smelling
gorgeously of homemade dishes and freshly baked goods that my mum had been
preparing while I was arduously studying. This filled me with joy and lifted my
spirits. A breath of fresh air after a hard day of learning in an environment
that was quite depressing for the outsider and social misfit that I was. Food
transported me to another world and had a strong impact on my mood - it still
does nowadays.

There was one sweet chow I particularly liked to find on the kitchen table when I got home in the afternoon: "Welsh Cakes", a wonderful speciality which hails from Wales in the UK. I can't think of something more soothing and addictive than those round doughy delights. One little bite of them babies was enough to make me forget my exam stress and the fact that I was singled out by my peers and didn't have many friends. As if by magic, all my problems vanished and I was overwhelmed with pure contentment.

A genial hearth, a hospitable board, and a refined rusticity.- William Wordsworth

Unlike other patisserie products, "Welsh Cakes" are never baked in an oven. Actually, they are very shortly cooked on a bakestone, a hot plate or in a heavy metal pan. This humble confection is made from butter (or lard and margarine when it comes to the cheap version), self-raising flour (or plain flour to which baking powder has been added), castor sugar, currants, eggs as well as a little milk and salt. They are a variant of the flat griddle-breads and scones found throughout the western and northern parts of Britain, though they are flatter and a lot denser in mass and texture than the latter.

In
the past, "Pice Ar Y Maen" (Welsh for "cake on the stone",
also called "Cacennau Cri") were fried in a cast-iron skillet or in a
kind of Dutch oven (three-sided tin oven) placed in front of the flames of the
kitchen fire. At this time, yeast was used as the raising agent as baking
powder appeared only after the mid 19th century. Each
family prepared them slightly differently and had their own secret formula
which was passed from down to daughters (some included honey, mace, cinnamon,
nutmeg, currants or even ginger).

"Welsh
Cakes" are lusciously soft and humid on the inside, delightfully
crispy on the outside and have a nice chewy touch thanks to the moistened dried
fruits. It is recommended to eat them while they are fresh and still warm as it
is then that they are at their best. Unless you have tasted that artisan
deliciousness, you'll never be able to imagine how fabulous it is or to
understand why the Welsh folk venerate this afternoon tea delicacy so much as
it is quite incomparable.

As
a matter of fact they are absolutely irresistible, incredibly ambrosial,
gustatively fullfilling and so moreish in a manner only warm pastries can be. It
is impossible not to stuff your face with them and end up exploding after
having giddily swallowed your upteenth "Welsh Cakes" in a row.
Once you start, there's no stopping you.

The
recipe I am presenting today is based on the one that has been followed by both
my granny and mama so, as you can imagine, it is very traditional and far from
being recent. As a matter of fact, I bet it dates back to the early 50's. Of
course, since I am a perfectionist and it is my habit to add my owm
personalized touch to things, I fiddled with it in order to ameliorate and
customize it a little by ajusting the quantity of milk used as well as by
adding a few grams more sea salt and raisins.This combination of homely ingredients and rich flavors is simply perfect. As a result, my "Welsh Cakes" are dangerously hooking and refined despite their modest origins. So, my question is the following: are you strong enough not to fall under their spell? Nah, I bet not and why bother resisting? You know you'd never win that battle!!

3. Stir in the sugar and currants.
4. Beat the egg together with the milk.

5. Add this mixture to the one in the bowl and combine in order to obtain a ball of dough. Knead lightly.

6. Roll out the pastry until it is about 5 mm (1/4 inch) thick.

7. Cut into rounds with a 6cm (2.4 inches) fluted cutter and re-roll the trimmings.
8. Fry each pastry rounds in a moderately hot cast-iron pan or frying pan for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until lightly browned.

9. Let cool on a rack or eat while still warm.

Remarks:If you want your "Welsh Cakes" to have a spicy edge, then you can add 1/2 tsp mixed spice to the dry ingredients.

Serving suggestions:

Serve them warm or cold, plain or dusted with sugar, with butter or clotted cream and jam.

You are correct. Food and memory do go hand in hand together and can transform you back to good memories. It is especially comforting to taste something familiar miles away from home. I made Quark the other day, since it is so hard to come by where I live.Gorgeous pictures like always and I wish I could taste one of your little Welsh cakes with my tea right now.

I am so sorry to hear about all the negativity of your parents. But I commend you for focusing and the few positives. Your Welsh cakes sound amazing, I can see why they would be a happy memory. Thanks for sharing these lovely cakes and your story.

Oh darling Rosa you always hit my heart as if you were writing about my life! so sad but so true. yes food was and remains a common healing soothing link, which i find i pass on in the same way through parts of my own "insanity". you are courageous to write as such and i admire you for it definitely is a healing process. i am so glad you have found happiness in adult life and an outlet for pain that is not self-destructive as that of our families. i embrace you. thoughtfully, Karin

Those happy memories are enough to triumph all the negativeness of a dark past. You're a strong woman and an amazing human being and the few rays of light in your past will guide you to a better future. :)

Dear Rosa absolutely nice and touching post sorry about all you lived.I learned (and is hard) nothing is perfect but the important are you HAVE MADE with you Rosa, an amazing and lovely woman that take georgeous pictures, cook fantastic an are a awesome human being, I think you are blessing now that is the important. thanks for shrinag dear,love all your recipes that I know are made with love.happy Easter to you! Love yah!

Rosa, this was a heart-rendering post. That you came out on the other side of your childhood so well is testament to your strength. It's wonderful you can use happy food memories in your healing and the best thing is you're passing on to us the most wonderful recipes. These look wonderful!Happy Easter, Rosa!

Rosa friend like you are our inspiration coz you fight against all odds of life and shallow all pain still share smile,the beauty and taste of life! May you always be blessed!Your cake looks yummy soft and I hope I can share a piece now!Beautiful pics as always!:)

Oh, I could not agree more. My earliest memories are connected to my favorite recipes. Texas cornbread at my school's Kindergarten feast and I my mom's cheese grits remind me of every special holiday family occasion. These cakes are so beautiful!

... and I must add this. Even though your parents are harmful and manipulative, you have turned out to be an extremely thoughtful, kind and talented person. This shines through in your writing and even in your photography.

Rosa, I was deeply moved reading your childhood memories. Now, thinking back on more or less happy periods of my life, I must say food (and now also wine) memories are always positive and bring a smile on my face. I have never been forced to eat anything I disliked (in general we shared preferences for food in our family, my mum cooked very well and we were rather omnivores), so I have no unpleasant food memories. Welsh cakes not only look gorgeous, but also very original with the pan frying process. I think I will give them a go one day. Thank you for sharing your memories and this wonderful recipe.

Despite everything, you turned out to be a lovely, strong, intelligent woman. Plus, you're an inspiration to everyone else. Food is healing, and magic, and you certainly know how to tap into it's powers. xo

I admire how you turned bad childhood memories into beauty, with these pastries (and all the others that you create) and your beautiful photography; you have conquered the pain and turned it into beauty and joy.

You certainly found some light in the dark. Food is memory to me. An aroma i memory - a toothsome bite - and it i beautiful to try and create the good. These were created with such care - it shows. And so they entice. Have a beautiful holiday weekend.

Dear Rosa,A bit like you, I've clinged to cooking to go through rough times. Everyone has their own story to tell, yours is a bit frightening, so similar and at the same time so different. You are an inspiration. I don't believe that you easily write about your intimacy, yet it has moved many people, judging only by the comments. Your photos are beautiful, I hope I can inspire a crowd of my own some day…cheers back to youLaure

I remember rushing home from school, another day of torture for this misfit, with nuns picking at me all day to smile, smile smile, till my face felt like it was cracking from the effort-- and then. luckily for me, my grandmother's matchless, tender, jelly-hearted molasses cookies would be waiting. I'll try these sometime soon, and tell you how they go over in Buffalo, NY.

Ah Rosa - have you read Philip Larkin's verse?"They f**k you up, your mum and dad. They may not mean to, but they do.They fill you with the faults they had And add some extra, just for you." I suspect it is truer in some cases more than others.

Still, these delicious little cakes would be very soothing and healing.

Dear Rosa, The thoughts that you shared are very sensitive. I am sorry that your memories are difficult, but I am glad that you have overcome and have learned that you need to take care of yourself. I am glad that you do find the bright spots in your life like these delicious cakes. I will keep you in my prayers.Blessings my dear. Catherine xoxo

Rosa, how brave of you to open up your heart and talk about your parents and the damage they did to you. Having children I can't even imagine how someone would hurt them but I also see how easily you can screw them up by being a bad parent.

I hope your healing path is still wide and up hill, you are a stronger person because of this. I am also glad that you found healing in cooking, and sharing your passion, you are good at it!

Hope you had a great Easter. I am really sad that there are parents who treat their children like this. I am glad that you have moved on and only kept the good memories. I've never heard of Welsh cakes before but they do look delicious. Although I make all sorts of jams, I would love them with some Greek honey :)

Rosa, reading your posts, I would never known that you had such childhood...you are a beautiful person...this is what you are.I never heard of Welsh cakes before, they sure look flavorful, great with a cup tea?Hope you have a wonderful week my dear :)

Its amazing how food elicits memories- some pleasant and some not so pleasant. Its amazing how despite what all you went through, you have so much optimism and positivity in you. Incredible indeed. The Welsh Cakes sound very interesting and delicious.

I think this post might have brought you a kind of relief, I think you came out of this all much stronger, and you will give love where needed as you were deprived of it yourself.You know we listen to the same music and in the darkest periods of my life, that music helped like a band-aid on a wound. You are very brave to have posted this, I have yet to write my own. Take care Rosa, you will be better, loving and fabulous! Don't wonder about the love your parents never gave and will never give and think of the love you can share... xxx

Hi Rosa! I've never had or heard of Welsh Cake before but from the pictures and recipe, I know I'd enjoy it very much with my favorite tea! I'm in Japan now enjoying cherry blossoms everywhere - full blooms and everywhere is pink!! :-) I have been trying to take pictures of them but none of them look even close to your picture... your photos are breathtaking!

Sorry to hear you had such a negative childhood Rosa. While my parents where certainly no saints I'm happy that it was never as bad as yours. Good thing too that you managed to cherish those few happy moments you had and these cakes sure look fantastic!HugsSimone

Rosa-I too know how it is to have dysfunctional parent/parents. I do not speak with my mother and will not ever again. You are absolutely right, dwelling on the past and negative thoughts or memories will only bring you down. Look forward and towards a more positive life for ou and your family :) I love reading your gorgeous thoughts and writing. So inspirational! And these welly cakes are amazing!!

What gorgeous Welsh Cakes Rosa, everything you make looks so delicious. It's certainly amazing how food and memories are interlinked. I think you are right, dwelling on the past is never productive. Focus on the positive and looking forward.

Rosa, your childhood memories full of sadness and nightmares has brought tears to my eyes and a pain in my heart. You are truly one of the warmest, most loving and generous souls I have met through blogging and internet and count you as a friend, so some very strong element in you fought hard to survive and shine. And I send a hug to you for that spirit you succeeded in holding onto. And thus your love of food - the one sign of warmth and love from your childhood which you now share with others. I made Welsh cakes once and they are indeed so warm and homey - and now you have added another layer to their meaning for me. I'll make them again now. xoxo

Oh, Rosa, I've sort of been there and completely understand *hugs*. You persevered and made a success of yourself with your many talents - not many do..you're very strong! With that said, I've seen loads of welsh cakes around the blogosphere, and I'm intrigued. Yours look beautiful.

I learned a lot from this post. I had no idea that welsh cakes weren't baked. It is also beautiful to read about recipes that are handed down from generation to generation (no matter how dysfunctional).

I have never thought of food in the ways you have shown here, though I too was brought into the fantastic world of food through hardship.

My mother was an alcoholic (and recently passed away and is dearly missed) and because she was gone so often, sometimes 4-6 months at a time, I finally got fed up with my father and I eating hamburger helper every night. I decided to get my hands dirty and try my hand at... canned chili! And that slowly moved onto roasts.

I was 16 at the time, I'm now 19 and even though those times, and this past year after my mother's death, have been difficult, food and most of all baking have been one of my clearest and most easily obtained joys.

aw, im so sorry bout the sad childhood... but how true that food is the one thing thatmost of us associate with happy thoughts :) the skillet cake looks lovely, never eaten such a cake that is not baked

Such a deep mixture of joy and sorrow, and you describe it perfectly. I think we all have some scars from our parents: yours are surely deeper and harsher than most, and yet it is great that you are able to find some good memories in that.

I have fond memories of Welsh cakes as well, when I lived in Wales it was one of the few treats I enjoyed regularly, hot from the griddle at the food market. Thank you for this family recipe, I'll make them when the craving strikes.

It is such a shame that a licence is not required to raise children. So sorry about your parents. You however are able to see the beauty in life, and I hope that brings you joy.These little cakes look and sound wonderful!

oh gosh, Rosa! These look absolutely delicious! My mouth waters by looking at the goodies. They seem approachable to make too. Can certainly understand why your stress just gone away after indulging in them. Thanks for the recipe. I'd absolutely give this Welsh Cake a try!

Rosa, it is hard for me to imagine, knowing you as I do (which is only online) how your parents could resist such a charming person as yourself and treat you with such negativity. But I am glad that you are able to find a way in yourself to have good memories of the food you shared. Your Welsh cakes look so homey and comforting.